CVE-2014-2004 in SEIL
Summary
by MITRE
The PPP Access Concentrator (PPPAC) on SEIL SEIL/x86 routers 1.00 through 3.10, SEIL/X1 routers 1.00 through 4.50, SEIL/X2 routers 1.00 through 4.50, SEIL/B1 routers 1.00 through 4.50, SEIL/Turbo routers 1.80 through 2.17, and SEIL/neu 2FE Plus routers 1.80 through 2.17 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (session termination or concentrator outage) via a crafted TCP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2004 affects PPP Access Concentrator implementations within various SEIL router models, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely through malformed TCP packet transmission. This vulnerability specifically targets the PPPAC component responsible for managing point-to-point protocol connections and concentrator operations across multiple router families including SEIL/x86, SEIL/X1, SEIL/X2, SEIL/B1, SEIL/Turbo, and SEIL/neu 2FE Plus devices. The affected firmware versions span from 1.00 through 4.50 for most models, with SEIL/Turbo and SEIL/neu 2FE Plus supporting versions 1.80 through 2.17, indicating a widespread issue affecting numerous network infrastructure devices. The technical flaw manifests when the PPPAC fails to properly validate incoming TCP packets, allowing malicious actors to craft specific packet structures that trigger abnormal termination of PPP sessions or complete concentrator outages. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a classic example of buffer over-read conditions where the system processes malformed data without adequate sanitization. The attack vector requires only remote network access to transmit specially crafted TCP packets, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can cause cascading failures within network infrastructure where PPP connections are critical for remote access and dial-up services. When exploited, the vulnerability results in immediate session termination for active PPP connections, potentially disrupting business continuity for organizations relying on these connectivity services. In larger network deployments where multiple PPPAC instances manage numerous concurrent connections, a successful attack can lead to complete concentrator outages affecting hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these devices from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly concerning for organizations with exposed router interfaces or those lacking proper network segmentation. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.002, which covers network denial of service attacks through exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and represents a common pathway for attackers seeking to establish persistent network disruption capabilities. The impact severity classification reflects the potential for significant business disruption, particularly in environments where PPP-based remote access is essential for operations, such as enterprise networks, telecommunications providers, and service provider infrastructures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2004 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from SEIL to address the underlying validation flaws in the PPPAC implementation. Network administrators must implement proper access control measures to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, including firewall rules that restrict TCP packet ingress to only trusted sources. The implementation of intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection capabilities can help identify exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while network segmentation strategies should isolate critical PPP services from general network access. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected router models within their infrastructure and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, implementing proper network hygiene practices including regular firmware updates, disabling unnecessary services, and maintaining detailed network documentation will help prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The remediation process should also include establishing incident response procedures specifically for PPP-related service disruptions and ensuring that network administrators are trained to recognize and respond to denial of service attacks targeting network infrastructure components.